Challis (Idaho)
| Challis | |||
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 Main Street in Challis, 2007 |
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| Location in Idaho | |||
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| Basic data | |||
| Foundation : | 1878 | ||
| State : | United States | ||
| State : | Idaho | ||
| County : | Custer County | ||
| Coordinates : | 44 ° 30 ′ N , 114 ° 14 ′ W | ||
| Residents : | 1,081 (as of 2010 ) | ||
| FIPS : | 16-13780 | ||
| GNIS ID : | 397543 | ||
 Aerial view of Challis, 2008 |
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Challis is a city and the county seat of Custer County in the state of Idaho . In 2010 Challis had 1,081 inhabitants. Challis is located in the wide valley of the Salmon River and is central to Idaho.
history
The area in and around Challis was formerly used for hunting and fishing by Shoshone and Nez Percé groups. White trappers first came to the region in the early 19th century , followed by other settlers. In 1873 gold was found on the Yankee Fork River . Challis was founded in 1878 and named after AP Challis, the land surveyor at the time . In the same year the first post office was built. With the gold rush , Challis grew into a regional center.
In 1983, an earthquake in the region killed two people. At the same time, several large buildings in Challis were destroyed.
Economy and Infrastructure
Nearby sanctuaries include the Salmon-Challis National Forest , Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, and the Land of the Yankee Fork Historic Area with the visitor center near town.
Challis is on US Highway 93, which runs north-south . Idaho State Highway 75 begins south of the city and heads southwest.
In the north of the city lies the airport Challis Airport .
